Bertram Allen remains Ireland’s highest ranked show jumper despite dropping from 13th to 16th in the latest Longines FEI rankings published yesterday, writes Mike Dunne.

As expected, riders who did well at the Olympic Games in Rio showed major improvements in the standings, in particular Canadian Eric Lamaze whose five clear rounds with Fine Lady S on his way to a Bronze medal saw him move up to the number 5 position.

Germany’s Christian Ahlmann, who also made the Individual Final and picked up a Team Bronze, retains his lead at the top of the standings. American Kent Farrington moves into second place ahead of French rider Simon Delestre who was in Rio but did not get to participate due to his horse Hermes Ryan being withdrawn with an injury.

Riders not involved in Rio had far fewer opportunities to improve their rankings in the past month. Ireland’s Denis Lynch held on to 21st place, but Conor Swail dropped from 25th to 30th. Billy Twomey remained in 46th, while Cian O’Connor dropped to 48th from 44th.

The most significant upward move by an Irish rider came from Richie Moloney, who entered the top 50 at number 49 – an upward move of 20 places which was helped greatly by his win in the Hampton Classic Grand Prix on Sunday with Carrabis Z.

Also entering the top 50 was Darragh Kenny, up two places from 52nd last month. Shane Sweetnam edged up a place to 53rd, but there are no other Irish riders in the top 100, with Anthony Condon nearest in 115th place followed by Shane Breen in 120th.

Longines FEI Rankings
1. Christian Ahlmann (GER)
2. Kent Farrington (USA)
3. Simon Delestre (FRA)
4. McLain Ward (USA)
5. Eric Lamaze (CAN)
6. Penelope Leprovost (FRA)
7. Daniel Deusser (GER)
8. Kevin Staut (FRA)
9. Scott Brash (GBR)
10. Rolf Goran-Bengtsson (SWE)

Irish riders in top 200
16. Bertram Allen
21. Denis Lynch
30. Conor Swail
=46. Billy Twomey
48 Cian O”Connor
49 Richie Moloney
50. Darragh Kenny
53. Shane Sweetnam
115 Anthony Condon
120. Shane Breen
134. Dermott Lennon
149. Cameron Hanley
183. Marion Hughes
190. Daniel Coyle